As the leader in your business or organization, you set the tone of the day, the structure, and the boundaries. You are the rabbit, you set the pace. Remember that.
Your influence can be a double edged sword. On one hand, enthusiasm catches on like the common cold. On the other, so does negativity. If you act and think negatively, it sets a bad tone in the workplace, which leads to low productivity and morale.
Whenever I’m working with a company, I ask the leaders to find time at the start of the day to get in the right frame of mind to lead. If leaders want an enthusiastic, productive workplace, then they must generate enthusiasm from within.
Of course, we’re all human. We have our bad days, both at home and at work. If this happens to you try these tips:
1. Learn to motivate yourself from within.
This means meditating on the good and reminding yourself why it’s important for you to be an enthusiastic leader. You can even go as far as to give yourself a pep talk! (I always say I talk to myself because I like talking to smart people.)
2. Call or talk to a positive friend or mentor just to see how they are doing.
Sometimes a good, positive conversation can help you get your mind of the negative and give you a fresh point of view to attack your problems.
3. Read positive books, scriptures, quotes, and think positive thoughts.
We’ve all heard the saying “garbage in, garbage out.” That means, whatever you choose to put in your head will manifest itself in your behavior. If you only focus on the negative, then you’ll act negative. But on the flip side, if you consume positive information and focus on the good, you’ll find the motivation you’re looking for.
Being a leader is not an easy job. You are responsible for motivating people with different backgrounds, personalities, histories, and more. Keep your mind fed with the right motivation and enthusiasm. Build relationships. Communicate and motivate. If you do, your employees will return the favor.
